Jump start an Optima?
 

I've been told by a reputable mechanic that jump-starting an Optima red top will fry the insides of that particular battery. Input?

Ive jump started a friends optima using a battery charger set on 'jump start'. Didnt seem to hurt it at all. Do you still have a warranty on the battery? Mine has a 3 or 4 year warranty, something like that from the auto parts store. If anything happens to it or it just doesnt hold a charge, they replace it for free.

I had to jump mine once. No problems for me yet.

I won't hurt it buuuuuut...

There is a difference in the Yellow and Red Top though...
The Yellow is a deep cycle,.. it can be completely drained and recharged over and over. The Red one does not fair as well after having been drained completely. BTW, fully recharging one takes a long time.

FYI, per a Optima Rep.: It's a good idea to charge the battery once every 6 months, for about an hour. He sis to hook it up while vacuuming the car or such. Doing this, he told me he had one go 10 years.

$.02 deposited :cheers:

Dave Q.

hmmm.....interesting info

Ok, on the subject of Red-tops... and not to steal the thread, ok...

How long does the charge hold in a Red-Top vs. a standard...

My standard is dead in 30 days or less... A red top will go how long before charging of any kind?? (I do use a tender when I think to put it on...lol...)

I've jump started mine before - no problems with it and it is four years old.

I have to jump mine every spring the first few times I drive it.